Experiencing A Greater Anointing Of God’s Power - Lessons From Three Women Of The Bible

It isn't the "Great Commission" – to go into the world and make disciples of all nations…. (Matthew 28:19). It isn't having more "faith in God" (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). It isn't reading the Word of God (1 Timothy 3:15). It isn't prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Jesus reveals the "one thing" within five verses of Scripture that provide much wisdom as we unpack them.

"38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42 ESV)

Let's look at what is said in each verse:

v38 "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house."

The village was called Bethany, which means 'House of Dates.' It is located about two miles outside the walls of the city of Jerusalem. It is interesting to note that dates grow on certain palm trees and are made into syrup used as a sweetener.

Martha was the sister of Mary (Not Jesus' mother) and Lazarus. She had a ministry in the visible outer court of giving and serving in front of the veil. Mary was different and had an unseen ministry of her heart and tears in the inner court behind the veil.

In the Tabernacle of Moses, there was an outer and inner court and a room called the Holy of Holies that had a veil covering the entrance. The only piece of furniture in there was the Ark of the Covenant. The High Priest was the only one who could enter it once a year. The Holy of Holies, God's dwelling place, is now within every Born-Again Christian's spirit, mind, and body (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Mary was probably eighteen to twenty years old and still single. She had a heart of devotion for Jesus. Each time we read about her, she is at the feet of Jesus. Her story gives a clue into how to move in the anointing of God. I feel many times what happens is that we want to be the mouthpiece of God, and we want to be the prophet of God. We go to Him and ask for a word for His people or an individual, and He gives a word. But God doesn't only want us to prophecy over others, but He wants us as priests to minister to Him!

The word "welcomed" (Heb: 'hupodechomai') is defined as to entertain hospitably, to receive warmly as a guest for a meal. I would think that it was a joy-filled gathering.

v39 "And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching."

Mary (Gk: Maria/Mariam) slipped out of the kitchen and quietly sat at His feet. The word "sat" (Gk: 'parakathizo') is defined as to sit down beside.

She sat and "listened" (Gk: 'akouó'), which is defined as attending to, considering, perceive to understand the sense of what is said.

The word "teaching" (Gk: 'logos') is defined as a complete statement/divine utterance, description, or Message.

Some teach that the word "logos" refers to a "written word" and "rhema" refers to a "spoken word;" however, they are used interchangeably throughout Scripture. "Rhema" is a saying that could be in a written form, so many "rhema's" put together could constitute a "logos."

Jesus is described as the "word" (logos), the complete teaching of God made flesh, and the complete revelation of what God is like (John 1:1).

v40"But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."

Martha was "distracted" (Gk:’perispaó'), defined as drawing away, being physically and emotionally distracted, and being distressed with "much serving" (Gk: 'diakoneó'), which is defined as ministering to another. Martha went to Jesus to complain about Mary."

Martha was running around trying to be a good host while her sister acted like one of the disciples rather than part of her "ministry team," who were serving as many as 80 people that Jesus had been discipling as they traveled with Him. Martha definitely needed help to get the meal served.

Martha had broken under the anxiety, frustration, and anger she was feeling towards Mary and went to Jesus, the guest of honor, rudely interrupting Him while He was speaking, and TOLD Him to "tell" (Gk: 'eipe') which is defined as to bid, command, Mary to help her.